The tricycle is not commonly associated with instability and safety hazards. But according to an old article from the Milwaukee Journal, the Tricycle of yore was a blood and tears factory for the youth of America.

Citing a government study, which claimed that tricycles had been responsible for as many as 130,000 injuries, they got an agency spokesperson to speak on the manner:

Roy Rice, a Calspan spokesman, sad the problems included seats that were too high in relation to the width of the car axle, steering angles that were too great, excessive speed capability, and an unnecessary rear step. The study said the rear step caused the most serious injuries.

Moral of the story: tell your toddler to stop whining and learn how to ride a damn bike. [Google via Brendan Koerner]